#184: Feasting Fox

• Specializes in German cuisine, including and German sausage and apple strudel.
• Built in 1913 by the Anheuser-Busch company as the 'Gretchen Inn'
• Architecture was styled after Tudor Revival
• Eventually it was named 'Al Smith's' and was that way for a long time, up until 1987
• The building was vacant from 1987 to 1995
• Designated as a St. Louis landmark in 2001.

Not sure about this part, but I guess at one time it was a patio or entrance. Thought it looked cool :)

Pub entrance

One of their backdoor entrances, I suppose

I usually get sick of saying this, but, I was NOT familiar with this place until this year for the cake hunt. My regret was not going in and eating at the time I took this cake, but I do want to go back and check it out. I do have German heritage (hence my last name!) so I gotta be loyal to my ancestry! My car was parked at Ted Drewes (2 doors down) so I didn't want to stay long in the area.

The Feasting Fox just happens to be located in St. Louis neighborhood Dutchtown. Dutchtown is also where Bevo Mill is located, and both of these places have a similar history as far as Anheuser-Busch and Prohibition. Those are pictures of the private-looking drive to Kingsland Court. It's got the unique symbol of Bevo Mill on top! (Notice the beer jug)

Right side of the cake

Left side of the cake

Back side of the cake

Mark Swain (who designed this cake and several more) spotlighted what made Dutchtown what it was. Among the places and organizations featured on the cake: (The Original) Crusoe's, Giuseppe's, Missouri Professional Cycling Series, Dad's Cookie Company, Merb's Candies, The Bluffs on Broadway, Urban Eats Cafe, Gus's Pretzels and the Grbic Restaurant. It also highlights the Cherokee-Lemp Historic District and the Meramec Virginia Business District.

Feasting Fox on FB
Official website

4200 Grand Blvd., ST. LOUIS, MO, 63111
Cake artist: Mark Swain

UPDATE (8/24/2016): The cake is still there, but is now in their back patio area.

#143: Off Broadway

• One of St. Louis' greatest concert venues has been in business for more than 30 years.
• Many different genres of music have been played here, including jazz, electronica and rock.
• Besides the floor seating, there is also a balcony.
• Among the nation-wide famous performers that have performed here include Mumford & Sons and the Carolina Chocolate Drops

Front of the building

Off Broadway from across the street

The cake, as decorated by Kris Mosby:

Right side of the cake

Top of the cake

Back side of the cake

Left side of the cake

Off Broadway StL on FB
Off Broadway StL on Twitter
Official website

3509 Lemp Avenue, ST. LOUIS, MO, 63118
Cake artist: Kris Mosby

The cake was sold on 1/1/2015 for $485 to the Cakelovers in the biddingforgood auction. It has been placed in various places around Maplewood and Cherokee area since. As of now, it is on private property.

#140: Venice Cafe

Yes....this is the only cake that is missing a slice! And how fitting is it to be located at the Venice Cafe?! Here's a place that is not afraid of being different. Located within a walk of the A/B brewery in the Benton Park/Soulard neighborhood, is this bar that's been given any kind of name. Call it weird, surprising, fun, whatever...besides the decor that's sure to give any passersby/guests attention, its sure to bring a smile to anyone's face. The place, at one time, served food. But as of November 2014, they no longer do. They've got Happy Hour specials though!

The doors eagerly await you.

I took plenty of pictures. Wish I can post them all on this page, but I don't want it to overload! But here's some more including the patio and front area...

I took a lot of interior shots too. Here's one of them....

Let's take a look at the cake. I later found out after getting this cake that it was one of the rules for the cake artists NOT to cut a slice out of it. The Screwed Artist Collective group did it anyway, and I'm curious as to see how they actually 'cut it out'. There are a few offbeat places in St. Louis that got a cake, but most agree - Venice Cafe deserved it. I'd like to know how the whole 'brain thing' happened and why. Here's some of the different angles:

The left and front corner of the cake

Back side of the cake, or should I say, the innocent and unsuspecting?

Left side of the cake

Top of the cake (to give it a Pac-Man look)

NOTE:  About 2-3 weeks after getting pictures of the place and the cake, the Venice Cafe closed temporarily after a burglary occurred (July 2014).

Venice Cafe on FB
Official website

1903 Pestalozzi Ave., ST. LOUIS, MO, 63118
Artist: Screwed Artist Collective

UPDATE (8/24/2016): The cake is still there. The inside part that was cut out has deteriorated in time, since it is believed people have stepped inside it. 

#67: Clementine's

• Bills itself as 'St. Louis' oldest gay bar' (or LGBT)
• Since 1978, Clementine's has been one of the Midwest's oldest LGBT bar
• Has a cafe inside called Oh My Darlins (possibly named after the old song 'Clementine')
• Known by critics as a typical Soulard-style dive bar
• Has a patio in the back of the place as well as many dart machines inside.

The cake (pictures were taken from its newer location, the Soulard Art Market), which focuses mostly on a special event which takes place in Soulard - the Barkus Pet Parade:

Left side of the cake

Back side of the cake

Right side of the cake

Top of the cake

NOTE: On a sad note, Clementine's closed on September 29, 2014. The cake is now placed outside the Soulard Art Market (SAM). Pictures and details coming soon!

Clementine's on FB

2001 Menard St., ST. LOUIS, MO, 63104
Cake artist: Earl Miller  (he also decorated the Powell Symphony Hall cake)

#63: Broadway Oyster Bar

*PUBLIC VOTE WINNER*

• Known to be one of the most popular (if not THE most popular) Cajun-Creole restaurants in St. Louis. One notable food that is not known to be sold at many places is the fried alligator.
• It is housed in one of the oldest buildings still standing in St. Louis, built in 1843.
• Live music is featured here every night. 
• B.O.B.'s mission is to celebrate the New Orleans style and traditions. 
• Opened in 1979.
• Restaurant includes an open-air patio
• According to Sauce magazine (July 2014), the restaurant will be expanded with more seating capacity and new kitchens, as well as an oyster-shucking station that guests can view

A lot was done to the cake that made it represent BOB. Its artist, Mary Harmon: "I spent the day with the owners of the Oyster Bar. We took many pictures and then they decided what has special meaning to them. The swirls actually are about an artist in New Orleans who paints in swirls and he is a friend of theirs. The lights at the top can be found in the Oyster Bar requested by John the owner. Of course the music figures and all the signs can be found inside. The cracked 250 stands for all the mirror glass that can be found on the walls. And last but not least their logo. The Oyster Bar is a fabulous place to dine and listen to great music. Tell them Gina sent you...........ha I also painted the base of bricks. This cake took over 3 weeks to paint and it was a JOY!!!!!!".

Thought I'd show a little downward shot of the nice decor in and outside of the cake

Top of the cake, which highlights BOB's 35th anniversary

Broadway Oyster Bar on FB
Official website

736 S. Broadway, ST. LOUIS, MO, 63102

Cake artist: Gina Harmon

#15: Aerie's Riverview Winery

As part of the village of Grafton, is one of the places that bills itself 'the greatest views of the Midwest': Aerie's Riverview Winery. Yeah, they do have some great views. But what about in other states, and places in the St. Louis area? I can think of many more; most of them are stl250 cake locations.

It's not just a winery, but a full-service restaurant with a variety of stuff. What's great (besides the views) is the outdoor patio, consisting of two floors. While here, you can also go bird/eagle watching. Stay overnight at their lodge and/or cottages. Aerie's is also in the process of making this into a venue that is great for any special location, be it reunions or weddings. Grafton Zipline is also available here too!

And just a warning: when going to this place, you will be driving up a very steep road. I would switch your gear, and not recommend coming when the roads are bad. Plus, Grafton is a biker town, so definitely go on a day when motorcyclists aren't around (I guess during the week?). Also, while in good ole Grafton, IL, watch your speed. Law enforcement is everywhere here; I know from experience.

The sign that leads to Aerie's

Oh yes...then there's the views:

View of the Mississippi River from Aerie's

Just a look at some of the goodness of Grafton

Village of Grafton

Forestry

The cake sides. Rich Brooks decided to put the 'village of Grafton' theme, which fits well for this cake:

Top of the cake

Aerie's Riverview Winery on Facebook
Official website for Aerie's Winery
Official website for Aerie's View

203 Mulberry Street, GRAFTON, IL, 62037
Cake artist: Rich Brooks

UPDATE (9/4/2016): The cake is still there.